Looking for tangy, spicy, and savory flavors all found in one dish? This top-rated recipe for General Tso's chicken combines crispy, flash-fried chicken and a rich garlic-chile sauce that turns up the heat. Creating a uniquely flavorful weeknight meal has never been easier — try ChefDaddy's 5-star recipe for a mouthwatering plate of General Tso's chicken any time.
What Is General Tso's Chicken?
General Tso's (pronounced tsow) chicken is a Chinese-American dish that features deep-fried chicken tossed in an irresistibly sticky glaze made with garlic, sugar, soy sauce, and chiles. The dish is named after 19th-century military leader Tso Tsung-t'ang.
How to Make General Tso's Chicken
Dive into an unforgettably fiery-sweet flavor that's easy to make at home. You'll find the full recipe below with step-by-step instructions, but here's what you can expect when you make this top-rated recipe:
- Begin by coating and frying chicken thigh pieces until they are golden brown and begin to float.
- Fry in batches, then set chicken aside.
- Repeat the process for an extra crispy, double-fried result.
- Drain the chicken on a towel-lined plate.
- Make the sauce, then toss with the fried chicken until it absorbs some of the sauce.
What to Serve With General Tso's Chicken
This classic takeout dish is often served with broccoli on a bed of rice, but the deep, savory flavors would also partner well with a pear and pomegranate salad or fragrant ginger-lemon carrots.
How to Store and Reheat General Tso's Chicken
Make the most of your leftovers by refrigerating them in an airtight container for up to 3 days, making sure to store rice separately to avoid mushiness. When you're ready for round two, simply reheat the ingredients on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
"This dish is absolutely delicious!" raves home cook Kim. "Make some rice with it, extra sauce (a little) wouldn't hurt, but above all, get your mise en place ready before you start! There are lots of ingredients that move fast once you get started."
"I made a vegetarian version of this using white mushrooms instead of chicken and veggie broth instead of chicken broth," shares reviewer Rebekah. "It turned out amazing and my girls were fighting over seconds!"
"This was a really great recipe," says Tory. "I put the chicken in the air fryer — great flavor."
Editorial contributions by Rai Mincey
